Page 20 - Market Times April 2024

20 MARKET TIMES • APRIL 2024 Big plans for Lancashire
markets in Rossendale
ROSSENDALE Borough Council in Lancashire is showing its commitment to the industry through multi-million pound investments in three markets.
As featured later in Market Times (pages 36 to 39), Rawtenstall is to undergo a £4.5 million refurbishment of its indoor market and outdoor hot food units.
The latest news is that two other markets in Rossendale — Bacup and Haslingden — are going to get healthy facelifts.
The biggest money — £8.3 million — goes to Bacup.
There plans for a new community-focused market, to be called Temple Court, include the construction of a state-of-the-art two-storey market hall offering local produce, crafts, food and drink on the ground floor and a cycle hub and makers’ spaces on the upper floor.
The cycle hub hopes to provide a retail offer as well as a bicycle repairs and hire service, enabling people to discover the Rossendale Valley on two wheels.
The market hall will be built on the site of the former Barclays Bank, which backs on to the open market in the heart of the town centre and is expected to be completed by spring 2026.
The outdoor market will be home to traditional stalls selling a variety of fresh food, creative works and household wares.
A £500,000 refurbishment of Haslingden Market is about to start and by early summer will provide an exciting outside shopping experience for visitors.
The council is investing £200,000 in the project, also financed by £300,000 the authority has secured from the UK Shared Prosperity Funding, will make the market a vibrant meeting place with a new sheltered seating area covering half of the market space.
An open air “flexible area” is to be constructed
Ramsgate outdoor market is making a return thanks to Bray Associates
New market hall for Bacup
Major refurbishment for Haslingden
which it is hoped will be used for music and theatre performances with temporary seating, mini-festivals and one-off artisan markets. To make way for these two areas the fixed table-
THE once popular weekly Friday mar- ket in the seaside town of Ramsgate in Kent is back in business three years after being struck by the Covid pandemic.
The government-imposed restrictions were made worse when the market operators withdrew in October 2020. But now Bray Associates has taken over the reins, and the market will be held on Ramsgate High Street, King Street and Queen Street every Friday.
Initially it is expected that there will be between 15 and 20 traders. But there is room for more and anyone interested can phone new operators Bray Associates on 01895 639912 or [email protected].
top stalls will be demolished and replaced with picnic-style tables where people can socialise while enjoying a variety of street food cabins sited down one side of the market.
Bray’s managing director Brian Nunan said: “I am proud we have been appointed by Thanet District Council to manage Ramsgate Market.
“I am looking forward to working with the council to rejuvenate the Friday market, bringing in new customers and shoppers which will benefit local businesses and the town centre.”
Coun Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Growth, said: “Ramsgate residents have been telling us that they are keen to see the market return. A successful market provides a real focus for any town. Markets bring increased footfall to town centres, and we are confident that this will help Ramsgate’s existing businesses to thrive.